DR. TRACY PATTERSON is an energetic and diverse performer who is equally equippedas a jazz and classical saxophonist. He has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician worldwide and has premiered several works for the saxophone. Patterson is distinguishedas a D’Addario and Yamaha Performing Artist and exclusively performs on D’Addario reeds and Yamaha saxophones.
As Associate Professor of Saxophone and Woodwind Chair at Winthrop University, he directs the award-winning Swingin’ Eagles Jazz Ensemble, teaches applied saxophone, and coaches saxophone chamber ensembles.
Patterson made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2017 with the Winthrop University Wind Symphony performing Dr. Mark Lewis’, Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Band.He has performed concertos with the University of Central Oklahoma Wind Symphony, the Winthrop University Wind Symphony, and the Carolina Wind Orchestra as well as with noted artists Natalie Cole, The Temptations, Robin Eubanks, Bob Mintzer, Wayne Bergeron, Steve Lippia, Linda Eder, Lorna Luft, Brett Eldridge, and Darius Rucker. He toured the United States, Mexico, and Europe with the Jason Harms Jazz Quintet, Duo Amizade, Duo Holsten, and the Winthrop Faculty Combo and performed at a private event hosted by President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush.
Patterson presents master classes and lectures at several conferences annually including the North American Saxophone Alliance, Music Teachers National Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the South Carolina Music Educators Association. The South Carolina Band Directors Association honored himas the 2016 Jazz Educator of the Year.
An active orchestral musician, Patterson has appeared multiple times with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. Patterson has been a guest artist at the Charlotte Jazz Festival, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Jazz Festival, the Dizzy Gillespie Jazz Festival, the Simpson College Jazz Festival, and the Redbud Jazz Festival at Northern Oklahoma College.
Patterson holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from Texas Tech University, a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Northeastern State University, He has previously served on the faculty at Lubbock Christian University and Texas Tech University. He resides in Tega Cay, South Carolina with his wife, Joy, and their daughter, Evelyn.